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A conference on the protection of holy shrines of the Serbian Orthodox Church on Kosovo and Metohija

8. July 2013 - 13:53

With the blessing of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, Their Graces Bishops Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, member of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and Jovan of Lipljan, Vicar Bishop to the Serbian Patriarch, met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the KFOR Commander General Halbauer and about forty representatives of countries-members of the NATO at the Patriarchate of Pec on 3 July 2013. They spoke with the members of the North-Atlantic Council, the highest governing body of the NATO, about the protection of the holy shrines of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija.

At the gate of the Patriarchate of Pec monastery high guests were welcomed on behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church by Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren and Vicar Bishop Jovan of Lipljan. Also mother superior Fevronija welcomed guests. The conference was held with a presentation on how to protect of the holy shrines of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the great refectory.

On behalf of the Serbian Patriarch, Bishop Teodosije thanked the KFOR for the protection of monasteries and churches thus far, pointing out that the international military presence was still needed inspite of certain progress in security.

“Only KFOR has full capacity to prevent violent attacks which we have seen in recent years and to guarantee a long-term protection of our holy shrines and precious monuments of culture”, Bishop Teodosije said.

After the lunch in the monastery itself, the guests visited a complex of churches of the Patriarchate of Pec and were informed about the significance of this holy shrine which has been the spiritual center of the Serbian Orthodox Church since 13th century. NATO Secretary General Rasmussen emphasized that the international peace forces would still remain and be engaged in providing the protection of the Serbian holy shrines.